HILLSBORO, Kan.— Tabor College has officially launched a historic, $90 million fundraising initiative to celebrate God’s faithfulness, raise key funds across campus, and build on a rich legacy to secure a thriving future for generations of students.
Having already raised $30 million since 2021, Tabor seeks to complete the campaign by 2030, strengthening the college’s foundation, serving past, present, and future students with premier facilities, renovations to its two most historic buildings, key fundraising to support student scholarships, improve housing, and continue the rapid rise of the college’s endowment.
“The Next Century Campaign builds on our legacy with a bold vision to enhance our campus, strengthen programs and ensure a thriving future,” said President David Janzen, Ph.D. “With your partnership, Tabor will continue to prepare students for a life of learning, work, and service for Christ and His kingdom for the next century and beyond.”
The college plans to transform and expand the former Mary J. Regier Building into a state-of-the-art Business and Entrepreneurship Center (BEC). A public launch of fundraising for the facility began in fall 2024 and with a $1.3 million Mabee Challenge Grant issued just months later, Tabor is nearing its $11 million fundraising goal for the renovation of the former Mary J. Regier Building and a north expansion that connects to the west side of the Solomon L. Loewen Natural Science Center.
This facility will house classes and events in business, Tabor’s largest major, and offer tremendous space to support ideation and co-working for budding entrepreneurs across campus. It will also house the Central Kansas Entrepreneurship Center.
“Our goal is to start companies and non-profits that take Christ into the world,” Janzen said. “We want to inspire and equip people to use their ventures to share Jesus with employees, vendors, and customers, to operate with integrity and love, and to use their resources to advance Christ’s kingdom as they support ministries including Tabor.”
The H.W. Lohrenz Administration Building will be enhanced and restored to maintain its history and add key features to cement its place on Tabor’s campus. Plans include restoring its exterior brick, replacing windows, reglazing the Corinthian columns, adding an elevator, and restoring historic stained-glass windows on the east side of the building.
Tabor opened a brand-new maintenance facility in 2022, and its newest residence hall, Jost Hall, opened in 2023. The college plans to build two new residence halls in the coming years. East Hall, a part of women’s quad housing, will soon be renovated.
Since 2023, the college has had its two best fundraising years including nearly $4 million to support student scholarships and programs.
Because of this support, the college has re-launched, will soon open, or started programs in data analytics, computer science, nursing (through a partnership with Hesston College), a new M.B.A. concentration in healthcare leadership, and graduate work in ministry.
Tabor opened its first three fully funded endowed professorships in August 2023, adding key funding that freed money to fund student scholarships and other operations.
“Growing our endowment is key in keeping a Tabor education affordable,” Ron Braun, vice president of philanthropy, said. “Thanks to generous alumni and friends, endowed funds have grown by 50 percent since 2023. That is remarkable, and now, we seek to increase it from $30 to $50 million by 2030.”
To learn more about the Next Century Campaign, visit www.tabor.edu/nextcentury. Online gifts can be made via www.tabor.edu/give. Contact Ron Braun at ronb@tabor.edu or 620-947-3121 (ext. 1710) to make a gift via check or assets such as stocks, property, or cryptocurrency.
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Established in 1908 and located in Hillsboro, Kan., Tabor College is a Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.